Physical books beat tablets when it comes to storytime with kids
Most parents read books with their children before bed, but with the rise of modern technology, the iPad is quickly replacing the dog-eared picture book. However, new research indicates you might want to hold onto those physical books as they are more beneficial for cognitive development in Read More...
Happy Holidays: A gift list from The Optimist Daily
“True giving from the heart is an expression of love.” Cara Stein With the holiday season in full swing, it can be difficult to navigate gifting in a way that celebrates loved ones while upholding our environmental and ethical values. Choosing gifts that are thoughtful, sustainable, and Read More...
Keep your brain flexible with these curiosity strategies
Neuroplasticity is a key factor in brain health as we age, and the best way to promote it is by staying curious and trying new things. New activities and experiences keep our brains limber and increase our neurons’ ability to send and receive information. Social interaction and cognitive Read More...
Study: Read before bed for a better night’s sleep
We’ve shared before how cutting down on screen time before bed helps promote better sleep, but it turns out that filling that time with reading could lead to an even more restful night. A new survey found that those who read before bed have an easier time falling asleep and improved sleep Read More...
UK readers have broken records in 2020 as book sales soared
From opening up a whole world of knowledge to reducing our levels of stress, the benefits of reading are virtually endless. While we have known this for a long time, it seems the pandemic has truly re-opened our eyes to the magic of reading as book sales skyrocketed in 2020. In fact, more than 200 Read More...
Got a New Year’s resolution to read more? These tips will help
It’s once again the time of year when we form our New Year’s resolutions. “Read more” is a common resolution, but unfortunately, many people abandon the novels they ambitiously started on January 1 by mid-month. If you want to read more and carry the habit through the whole year, check out Read More...
Drone delivery service will soon start dropping books to kids in Virginia
For many school librarians, getting kids to read over the summer can be a challenge, but a librarian in Christiansburg, Virginia, has found an ingenious way to get kids to read more: drones. In a hope that watching a drone deliver books to their house will entice kids to read more, middle-school Read More...
Philadelphia’s library system joins in on ditching fines for overdue books
Following into the steps of Chicago, and Los Angeles, Philadelphia’s library system has officially joined the movement of ending the policy of charging patrons for past-due materials, also eliminating any existing overdue fines from library cards. The library’s former policy imposed fines of Read More...
Why you should spend more time in bookstores
Watch out, world. Bookstores are making a Read More...
Why reading a good book is the best thing you can do for your brain
Besides giving us stories to cherish, recent research shows immersing yourself in a good book can do wonders for your mental health. By looking through the eyes of characters, you understand their pain and their joy, which can lead to greater empathy. That can also help to relieve loneliness and Read More...